Heterogeneous palladium-based catalyst promoted reduction of oximes to amines: using H2 at 1 atm in H2O under mild conditions

A highly active palladium-based heterogeneous catalyst with excellent activity for the hydrogenation of oximes to form amines was prepared from the metal precursor K2PdCl4 and 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine. It is particularly suitable for the hydrogenation of oximes to prepare a wide spectrum of primary amines employing H-2 (1 atm) in H2O under mild conditions. In addition, the heterogeneous catalyst can be easily recycled, and repeatedly reused for ten times without losing its catalytic activity and selectivity. This palladium-based catalyst and its developed procedures are applicable for both aliphatic and aromatic aldoximes and ketoximes. The corresponding primary amines could be afforded with good to excellent yields of up to >99%, representing the first examples proceeding in H2O using 1 atm H2 at rt and it is believed to possess great potential for sustainable industrial applications.